Joe Pantoliano's 'The Last of Us' Scenes Are a Masterclass in Emotion

It can be tricky to get a celebrity to appear in a small role in a movie or television show. Sometimes, the point is you going “Ooooo, it’s such and such!” Other times, the creators want someone they know who can make a huge impact in a small amount of time. They need someone who can give audiences a sense of familiarity while also being lost in their role. Not every actor, show, or movie can pull it off without a few hiccups. But not every actor is Joe Pantoliano.

Pantoliano has been acting since the 70s and steals every scene he’s in. However, I wouldn’t call him a “celebrity,” at least not in the traditional sense. He’s more of a “guy who’s in that thing” or “the dude who eats steak in The Matrix.” The occasional person may say, “Oh, the boss from Bad Boys!” If anyone ever says, “You mean the bad guy from Ready to Rumble, the wrestling movie that starred David Arquette, Scott Caan, and Oliver Platt,” stay away from that person. Cool people will know Joey Pants for being a consummate professional with the range of a seasoned vet (which he is), but a vet who has felt like one since he first walked on screen.

Earlier last week, I was annoyed to see that Joey Pants would be guest-starring on the new episode of The Last of Us. I wasn’t annoyed that I would get to see his wonderfully expressive face; it was just that it was spoiled for me ahead of time. Patoliano and Gina Gershon appeared with Jennifer Tilly on an episode of Chucky for a mini Bound reunion, and it was a wonderful surprise. I would have preferred that. But, luckily, I’m a dad to twin four-year-olds and often tired, so his appearance slipped my mind until he popped up onscreen.

*Spoilers ahead for the newest episode of The Last of Us*

If you have been keeping up with The Last of Us by watching it and/or reading Tori’s excellent recaps, you’ll know that the most recent episode was a flashback to events that took place between seasons 1 and 2. It revealed what caused the rift between Joel and Ellie that kicked off the new season. The biggest aspect was getting to see Joel and Ellie interact after his tragic death in episode two. But part of their interaction is showing that Ellie was present when Joel killed Eugene, a citizen of the town they live in, and husband to Joel’s therapist, Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara.

So far, all we’d known is that Joel killed Gail’s husband after he was infected. This episode showed that he did so without bringing Eugene back home to say goodbye to Gail, even though Ellie thought he had time. It’s a devastating series of events in which no one is really right or wrong. It’s all complicated by different perspectives, including Eugene’s. The man just wants a chance to talk to his wife, to have her tell him everything is okay, even though it isn’t. He wants comfort, and Joel straight up lies to him.

I can tell you with confidence that I wouldn’t have been able to make the choice Joel made, not only because I understand wanting to see your wife before you go if you have the chance, but also because Pantoliano’s Eugene is easy to empathize with. He isn’t playing crazy or desperate, as could easily be the choice in a moment like this. He’s sad and vulnerable. He’s attempting to appeal to Joel and Ellie’s humanity. It works on Ellie, who pleads with Joel to promise to keep Eugene alive. But Joel, who has been hardened by this terrible world, breaks that promise.

As Ellie goes to retrieve their horses, Joel leads Eugene to what he tells him is the path home. Instead, he takes him to a beautiful sunset on a lake. Is it nice? Yes. But it isn’t his wife. Eugene realizes what is going on, and when his pleas land on deaf ears, Joel gives him a moment to think of his wife; To “see” her for his final moments. We see Eugene take that journey in those moments. Pantoliano makes the most of that time, both as an actor and as a character, until he sees Gail, tells Joel as much, and is killed. It’s devastating.

Joe Pantoliano may not be a household name, but even if he were, no one would recognize him for long in these scenes. He embodies everything Eugene is going through. His journey through grief and acceptance is remarkable to watch, and shows off his skills as an actor and the strength of the writing. He may not have been given a whole episode, like Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett in season 1, but his work will be a standout just the same.